The basics of effective weight loss is simple, and can be grasped in 3 simple steps: Create a calorie controlled eating plan; eat more regular, but smaller and balanced meals; and get active. But here are 5 tips, which will get that goals set in your mind, which at the end of the day, is the most important factor of your success.

1 - Do it for YOU

You have got to want it yourself. As long as somebody else is pushing you, no matter what you do or what you try, it will never work. FIND a reason if you don't have one. And once you have that reason, hold onto it till death do us part. It's hard to believe in something that you cannot see. But KNOW, that the moment you start making an effort, will be the moment that all your visions become possible, and the reality comes one day closer.

When you know the whys and the hows, everything you do makes sense. Most importantly - you will be able to pinpoint what doesn't work, when it doesn't work, and be able to make the right adjustments in the right places. Successful weight loss IS a numbers game - and it's real simple once you know the formulas. You will not go blindly about, not knowing who or what to believe. You do not have to get a degree in nutrition, or become a dietitian. But there are resources out there, which after you have read, or rather studied them, will make you an expert, even more so than some medical practitioners and so called experts...

3 - Slow and steady wins the race

We all want to lose it last year, but slow and steady is the way to go if you don't want to see those pounds again. Your body likes slow changes in terms of food and exercise. If you have not exercised for a long time, you should not rush into running miles or lifting weights twice your own weight. The same applies when you will suddenly start starving yourself. Apart from the fact that your body will go into starvation mode, making weight loss even more difficult, diets that severely restrict calories will lead you to be deficient in the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs.

4 - Be realistic

Setting a goal weight loss of 20 pounds within the first month, even how possible it may seem, and even be, will only lead to disappointment and maybe even dent your motivation in such a way that it does more bad than good. Figure it out - if you want to lose 200 pounds, work at a healthy rate, at 2 pounds a week it will take you the better part of two years, it may be that everything speeds up in that time, with determination from your side, but also it may be that you plateau, and that will simply mean some innovation from your side. Expect that, and be prepared... I say again - educate yourself.

5 - Set smaller, short term goals

Within your major goal you should have short-term goals and once again these need to be realistic to keep you motivated. These will change with time, as your weight loss will accelerate at times, and at other times it may slow down. These are the times that will require some innovation from you, shift your calories (alternate the amounts of calories on different days, while sticking to your weekly goal), and/or vary your exercise program.

Weight loss really is not the impossible and painful feat that people make it out to be. Pull up your sleeves, get your mind straight, and just do it!